Travel & Vacation: Swag Carpet
Swag carpet…..
Growing up my grandparents had a bright orange shag carpet in their basement….boy that brings back memories…..well instead of “shag” carpet we changed it up a bit and did “swag” carpet not too long ago. When we travel without the kids it is always fun to bring back something little for them as a special treat or surprise. It is not always the same thing and we try to present it differently as much as possible to spice it up a little bit. Awhile ago Jake went on a trip to a conference and got a lot of “swag” gifts, you know all the goodies that vendors give out as gifts to market their products to you. He arrived home a few hours before the girls got home from school so we decided to take all the swag (along with their special gift) he had gotten and cover their bedroom floor. At the conference he received a lot of t-shirts so he should be good on those for awhile now!
Brina discovering the necklaces and Karlie finding the airplanes
When the girls opened the door they stopped……in…..their….tracks…..what in the world!? They were totally surprised to find their entire floor covered with shirts, cups, and various other swag goodies. Brina was the first to find the necklaces Daddy picked up for them and Karlie was fascinated by the paper airplane cutout that you put together. It was hilarious seeing their expressions!
Cute little fish necklace Jake brought back for the girls
Jake brought home a cute necklace for each of the girls. They loved their pretty necklaces and have worn them to church, on Date Nights or other special occasions. But most of all enjoyed having Daddy home to play with again!
Karlie and Brina fascinated by the blue silly putty
They each picked out one of Daddy’s swag shirts to keep as a nightshirt. Karlie picked out one that had a rocket on it and Brina picked out one that had a splash of bright colors (a “rainbow of colors”). After trying on their shirts they sat down to play with their cool blue silly putty for awhile. It is amazing how entertaining little goodies can be.
Even though I love to travel it is always wonderful coming home. I am thankful for the amazing opportunities Jake, myself and our family have been given. It is an adventure traveling and exploring new places, but hanging out at home making memories together is just as precious!
Gearing Up for the Garden Season!
Brina’s “Rainbow of Vegetables”
There are so many reasons why I love to garden! This is the last haul from our garden last year. I went out and picked everything I could in mid-November (yes November, we live in South Carolina and had a late freeze this winter) before our first major freeze and these are the vegetables that were still in the garden or producing. Brina helped me wash all the vegetables and as we were sorting I was pulled away by a phone call, she continued sorting and made a “Rainbow of Vegetables” (see picture above). She was quite pleased with her handiwork and I was pretty impressed too!
Most of the items left that I picked that day were ripe and ready to eat. A lot of the tomatoes were still pretty green but that isn’t a problem because we have containers that keep them fresh for quite awhile plus we have a couple of green tomato recipes. I love that the girls will ask to eat a banana pepper or a whole tomato like it is an apple! It was wonderful having fresh vegetables throughout the winter months too.
Another reason our family enjoys gardening is that it gives us a wonderful opportunity to share with others. Whether it was taking baskets of goodies over to our neighbors or sharing it with family and friends we really had a blast sharing the produce. It was a great way to teach our children the joy of giving to others. When we planted the garden our family decided that we would try to use half of the produce to feed our family and give the remaining half away to family, friends, neighbors, and others within our community. While I cannot say how many pounds or the exact number of each produce we gave away or the exact amount we ate this past year I do know that our garden (despite my black thumb) produced more then it ever has in the past!
To get us in the gardening mood, my sweet husband went out and bought a few seed packets. He put the packets in various places throughout the house for us to find. The girls have really been getting excited about starting the garden and trying out some of the new produce we have discovered over the last few months (like Bok Choy). They love being outside, in the fresh air, playing, planting and picking the produce. The only thing they don’t enjoy is the weeding, but I don’t know anyone that gets too excited about that piece. As we gear up for another gardening season there is a lot to think about…..what to plant, where to plant each type, how many and so forth. Do you have a family garden? What are your favorite items to grow?
Save A Lot: Deals for the week of March 14 – 20, 2012
The Save A Lot weekly ad deals are listed below for your convenience. It is a great time to stock up on some Save A Lot deals. Sign up for the Smart Shopper Club, by doing so you will get a $5.00 off of $25.00 coupon!
Meats and Seafood
Fresh Whole Roasting Chicken – $0.99 lb
Beef Bottom Round Roast – $2.99 lb
Corned Beef – $3.29 lb
Bone-In Shank Portion Ham – $1.29 lb
Boneless Beef Chuck Roast – $2.99 lb
Family Pack Cube Steak – $3.49 lb
Family Pack Stew Meat – $2.99 lb
Schooner Imitation Crab Meat or Salad Shrimp (4 to 8 oz) -$1.00
Boston Butt Roast – $1.69 lb
Chicken Drumsticks or Thighs – $0.99 lb
Chicken Leg Quarters (10 pounds) – $6.89
Schooner’s Salmon Filets (12 oz) – $3.99
Schooner’s Cod Filets (12 oz) – $2.99
Cooked Cocktail Shrimp (40 to 60 count) – $4.99
Pick 5 for $19.99 promo on going! Pick any 5 specially marked packages of your favorite cuts or types of meats, vegetables and more. Here are a few of the specials they have going on with the Pick 5 for $19.99 this week (each item approximately $3.99):
Fridge and Freezer
Pillsbury Buttermilk Biscuits (6 count) – $0.50
Use $0.35/3 coupon from insert 1/8 General Mills (Expires 3/31/12)
$0.38 each after couponBlue Bonnet Spread Quarters (16 oz) – $0.69
Murry’s Popcorn Chicken or Chicken Sticks (7 oz) – $1.00
TJ Farms Sweet Potato Fries (12 oz) – $1.00
Bird’s Eye Sweet Kernel Corn or Mixed Vegetables (10 oz) – $1.00
Farm Fresh Refrigerated Hash Browns (14 oz) – $1.00
Murry’s French Toast, Original or Cinnamon (7 oz) – $1.00
Mantia’s Pepperoni French Bread Pizza (11.3 oz) – $1.99
World’s Fair Ice Cream, Chocolate, Vanilla, or Neapolitan (56 oz) – $2.79
Save A Lot Today Orange Juice – $1.99
Michelina’s Pizza Rolls (30 count) – $1.99
Stouffer’s Lasagna with Meat Sauce (57 oz) – $9.99
Use $2.00/1 coupon from insert 1/29 Red Plum (Expires 4/30/12)
Use $0.75/1 printable coupon from Nestle Family
As low as $7.99 each after couponTake & Bake Pizza, Pepperoni or Supreme (33 to 36 oz) – $5.99
Take & Bake Cheese Pizza (33 oz) -$5.49
Produce
Green Cabbage – $0.33 lb
Vine Ripe Tomatoes – $0.99 lb
Klondike Gold or RosePotatoes (5 lb) – $3.00
Carrots (2 lbs) – $1.29
Parker’s Baking Potatoes (10 lbs) – $3.99
Onions (3 lbs) – $1.29
Household
Wrightware Napkins (250 count) – $1.69
Save A Lot Today Liquid Detergent (45.4 oz) – $1.99
Save A Lot Today Cleaners, Assorted Varieties (32 oz) – $0.99
Gib Ultra Dish Liquid (24 oz) – $1.99
Dove Moisturizing Soap (2 pack) – $3.49
Grocery
Maxwell House Wake Up Roast Coffee (11.5 oz) – $1.99
Hi-C Drink Boxes (10 count) – $1.99
Quaker Chewey Granola Bars, Assorted Varieties (6.72 oz) – $2.00
Use $0.75/2 coupon from insert 2/5 Red Plum (Expires 3/17/12)
$1.63 each after couponLibby’s Vegetables, Assorted Varieties – $0.69
Use $1.00/4 coupon from insert 11/13 Red Plum (Expires 3/31/12)
$0.44 each after couponPotatoes on the Side Flavored Mashed Potatoes, Assorted Varieties (7 oz) – $1.00
Bugles, Assorted Flavors (4.1 oz) – $1.00
Portside Chunk Light Tuna (5 oz) – $0.69
Del Pino’s Pasta with Meat (14 to 15 oz) – $0.79
Mantia’s Pizza Sauce (14 oz) – $0.99
Mantia’s Pizza Crust (6.5 oz) – $0.49
Ginger Evans Deluxe Brownies (19.8 oz) – $1.69
Ginger Evans Cookie Mix, Chocolate Chip or Peanut Butter (17.5 oz) – $1.99
Ginger Evans Angel Food Cake Mix (16 oz) – $2.19
Ginger Evans Instant Pudding, Chocolate or Vanilla (3.4 oz) – $0.50
J Higgs Buttery Round Crackers (16 oz) – $1.99
So Cheezy Stream’in Cheese (8 oz) – $2.59
Morning Gems Corn Flakes (18 oz) – $1.79
Chocolate Peanut Butter Puffs Cereal (13 oz) – $2.29
Ginger Evans Graham Ready Crust (6 oz) – $1.49
Save A Lot Today Sandwich Creams, Assorted Varieties (12 oz) – $1.19
Country Treats Glazed Yeast Raised Donuts (19 oz) – $3.19
Save A Lot Today Toaster Pastries (11 oz) – $0.99
Pet
Trooper Dog Food (17.6 pounds) – $7.49
Remember you can use the $5/$25 printable coupon to sweeten these deals! Plus you can earn up to 5 additional $5 off $25 coupons for sharing the coupon with your friends. For more information about Save A Lot’s coupon policies go here. If you find additional deals or savings please let me know and I will add them to the list.
Fresh & Healthy: School Lunchbox Meals
School Lunchbox Meals
Part of the problem with doing lunchbox meals everyday is making sure you have a variety of ways to not only keep it appealing but also healthy for your family. The girls love getting “surprises” in their lunchboxes. Every once in awhile I will stick something special in their lunches that I find to keep it healthy and fun.
- Peanut Butter and Homemade Strawberry Jam
- Fresh Pepper Strips
- Fresh Green Grapes
- Gold Fish
- Cherry Jello
- Vanilla Yogurt
- Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Mrs. Fields Oatmeal Cookie & Chocolate Covered Raisins
- Pink Lemonade
Packing lunches for the kids
Song: “I Can Only Imagine” by MercyMe
We are surrounded by the glory of God’s creation every day. I am thankful for the wonderful family, beautiful scenery and amazing blessings He has given me. If life on earth has so many awesome moments “I can only imagine” how truly amazing heaven will be.
What’s for Dinner: Our Weekly Menu Plan
This week is pretty busy with a lot of extra activities so I am gong to try and keep it fairly simple. Here is our menu plan for the upcoming week:
Our Weekly Menu Plan
- Monday (Beef Entree): Spaghetti & Meatballs, Fresh Salad, Garlic Bread
- Tuesday (Seafood or Pork Entree): Catfish, Strawberry Cucumber Salad
- Wednesday (Chicken Entree): Easy Crockpot Chicken Tacos
- Thursday (Pasta or Vegetarian Entree): Special Event
- Friday, Saturday, & Sunday: Leftovers, Family Preference, and Hosting
I have a general pattern I try to follow for my weekly Menu Plan (for example Monday we have a beef entree, Tuesday a seafood or pork entree and so forth). It is my goal, at least in the beginning, to have at least the main dish and one side planned. I will put together the remaining side dishes (veggies / fruits) based on the food items that need to be used up first and compliment the main entree.
Setting a weekly menu plan helps me utilize my time better, thus freeing up extra time to spend with my family. On the days that I am working longer hours I can prep the meal in advance so it will be easier to pull together once I am home. As I go through the menu planning process I will try to share some of our favorite family recipes. If there is a specific recipe you would like please let me know and I will do my best to accommodate (some recipes are a toss together meal and I do not use any set measurements).
As a family of four our life can get busy. What’s for Dinner is our weekly menu planning series and one of the ways to help keep us organized, on schedule, and within budget. Our family typically eats 6 to 7 dinner meals at home a week. We do try to go out to eat at least once a month as a special treat. Breakfasts are eaten at home before work and school, lunches are eaten at work, school, or home, so dinner is our main meal together as a family. Dinner is our time to reconnect, share, and enjoy being together after a busy day. Our weekly menu plan covers Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday only because the weekend (Friday, Saturday, and Sunday) is our time to spend with family and friends. The weekends tend to be more spontaneous and my husband (who is the better cook) likes pitching in therefore we keep the menu open for variety. We use up the leftovers throughout the week for our lunches and on the nights that we are busy or can’t cook.
Photo by Liz
Intentional Living: Weekly Goals
Last week was a tough one in many ways. I felt like I was being pulled in so many different directions all at the same time. Several unexpected things came up throughout the week and this week is going to be a big one with all the extra activities going on. I am hoping this week will still be productive even though I need to cut it back a little with everything that is going on.
Here is the update on last weeks goals:
Family Goals
Spend 1-on-1 time with each child everydayRead a book to the girls everydayHave each girl read 1 book to myself or Jake 5 days this weekConnect with each family member at least once a day- Put together a Schedule / Reference Worksheet for Mom – almost done
Personal Goals
Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week- Go to bed by 10:30 pm or earlier Monday to Thursday – getting in a habit of staying up too late again
- Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
Read and listen to the next section of Desiring God: Finding Complete Satisfaction and Joy in God by John Piper (our church Community Group is going through this book together).– finished the entire book
Home Management Goals
All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one dayWeekly Dinner Menu planned and written by MondaySpend 30 minutes every day picking up / cleaning the houseSpend 1 hour a day de-cluttering and organizing the house
Business Goals
Pay all bills that come in the mail this weekWork on ideas for upcoming blog postsSpend 10 minutes a day cleaning and organizing my desk- Finish 2011 Business Taxes – still at the accountants office
Ministry Goals
Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requestsMeet a friend or family member for Breakfast or LunchWrite and Email the meeting notes for our Alms & Legs Ministry Team Meeting
Financial Goals
Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses – working on it
- Complete our personal 2011 taxes – waiting on the business taxes to be complete
- Put money aside for upcoming trips – put a little aside
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes – have some of it done
Here are my goals for the upcoming week:
Family Goals
- Connect with each family member at least once a day
- Distribute the girls “I Love You” Surprises
- Write and mail cards
- Put together items for Jake
- Print off the Family Calendar, Event List and Information
- Meet the girls for lunch at school
- Finish reading The Secret Garden and Swiss Family Robinson to the girls
Personal Goals
- Exercise – walk at least 5 days this week
- Finish reading When Work and Family Collide by Andy Stanley
- Keep an up-to-date written & photo log all the adventures this week
Home Management Goals
- All laundry for the week washed, folded, and put away in one day
- Weekly Dinner Menu planned and written by Monday
- House cleaned and ready for company
- Pay all bills that come in the mail this week
Business Goals
- Work on ideas for upcoming blog posts
- Keep up with the day to day items that need my attention
- Finish 2011 Business Taxes
Ministry Goals
- Email our weekly Community Group update including upcoming events on the calendar, praises, and prayer requests
- Meet a friend or family member for Breakfast or Lunch
- Take time to talk, listen, and encourage the people I encounter this week
- Be a blessing to a total stranger this week
Financial Goals
- Stay within Budget on Groceries $40 for 4
- Emergency Fund – save 3 months worth of living expenses
- Complete our personal 2011 taxes
- Put money aside for upcoming trips
- Put cash aside for 1 year of Jake’s College Classes
I think it is important to share and encourage each other as we seek to improve our lives and the lives of those around us. I want to live intentionally not just hope all my dreams and goals come true. When I focus on small steps of improvement I am able to see results as I get closer to my goals. Some weeks I get closer to the goals I have in my life and other weeks a take a few steps back (life happens, emergencies occur, people get sick). Once the goals are written down and shared it provides a guideline for what I aim to accomplish this week.
Why Share My Goals?
- To keep me accountable
- To share a piece of my life with you as I strive to be a better Child of God, Wife, Mom, Friend, Homemaker, Entrepreneur and the many other roles I have each week
- To have my goals consistently written down so I can gauge progress more accurately
- Create healthy habits in my life
- To encourage you to share your goals with me as you continue to grown and learn
How did you do this week on your goals? Feel free to share or link to your list of weekly goals.
The picture above is one that I created for my own purposes, however, The “SMART” acronym was originally coined 30 years ago by Peter Drucker in his classic work, Management by Results
No whining, no complaining…..
Book: “Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
The girls and I have been trying to spend a few extra minutes every night reading together. They chose a book to read to me and I have been reading a “chapter book” to them. We just finished reading the Great Illustrated Classics Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery together. The book is about a little red headed orphan girl named Anne Shirley who comes to live at Green Gables. Anne is full of life, spirit, and has a vivid imagination.
The book was fascinating for both of our girls. Within the first day of starting this book we made it almost halfway. The girls keep wanting to read just one more chapter. I like that the Great Illustrated Classics the chapters are pretty short and they include pictures throughout the book. I often found the girls sitting on the couch flipping through the pages of the book even before it is time for us to sit down and read together. This is a fun book to read with the kids.
Living on a Budget: Groceries $40 for 4
I thought maybe this week would a little calmer, but it has yet to slow down. In between appointments I was able to make a quick stop at the grocery store. Nothing fancy or amazing this week just picking up a few items before the next wave of crazy begins, ha! Here is my weekly update on our Groceries $40 for 4.
Groceries from Ingles and Dollar Tree
Ingles Groceries:
- $35.02 at Ingels for 2 loaves Bread, 1 container Cottage Cheese, 2 jars Planters Peanut Butter (on sale), 1 package Ground Beef (on clearance), 1 box Danimals Yogurt Sticks, 1 container Philadelphia Italian Cream Cheese Spread (on clearance $0.99), 1 container Strawberry Cream Cheese, 1 bag English Muffins, 1 bag fresh Oranges (on clearance for $0.99), 1 can Biscuits ( on clearance $0.50), 1 bag Blueberry Bagels. (everything was marked down, on sale, or clearance today at Ingles).
Dollar Tree Groceries:
- $1.00 for 1 box Toast’em Poptarts
We were able to get a few items this week. Thankfully, I was able to make it by the store and pick up some items that we’ll need over the next couple of weeks. Thanks for helping keep me on track even in the midst of this busy season!
This week I spent $36.02 on groceries. I was under on my budgeted amount for the week, yay! I was happy to find a few items marked down on clearance. I hope that next week we can come under budget!
It is my goal to give you regular updates on this budget section so you can celebrate the good weeks with me and thump me on the bad weeks! As always you are welcomed to join the journey with me. I would love to hear your story and how you are doing too. The purpose of our family doing this it to watch our grocery spending while allowing us to feed our family, enjoy life, share with others, and yet stay on track with our budget.
Living on a Budget is a series of ways our family uses a budget to help keep us accountable with our finances. Life doesn’t always go as planned. We have used some of the ideas I will be sharing for years while others are ones we are just starting to implement as we continue finding ways to be creative and have fun with what we have been given. Having a plan in place allows us the freedom to be smart with what we have been given, get more creative when it is a tight (week, month, year or a season) and when necessary live a much more simplified life. A budget helps us stay on track so we have more opportunities to enjoy the many blessings we have been given as well as share what we have with others. There is so much more to life than having all the stuff. We may not have the newest or greatest items in our house, we drive used cars, and wear hand-me-down clothing…..however, if our family is taken care of and have love for each other and others we have more than all the riches in the world.
